MORECAMBE boss Derek Adams has left the club three days after leading them to promotion to Sky Bet League One.

The Shrimpers, who beat Newport County AFC 1-0 after winning a hugely controversial penalty during extra-time in Monday's League Two play-off final at Wembley, announced Adams' departure on their official website.

A club statement said: "Derek Adams has today left Morecambe Football Club to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

"This change and the timing of it presents a challenge, Morecambe Football Club will rise to that challenge and is relishing the test that awaits in League One."

Former Ross County and Plymouth Argyle boss Adams, 45, appointed by Morecambe in November 2019, has been linked with the vacant manager's job at League Two side Bradford City.

Adams, who has won promotion four times as manager, transformed the Shrimpers' fortunes in his 19-month spell in charge.

The club had one of the lowest wage bills in the English Football League and were bottom of the table when he arrived.

They finished the regular season in fourth place, missing out on automatic promotion by a point on the final day.

Morecambe's co-chairman Rod Taylor said: "Derek did a fantastic job during his year-and-a-half at Morecambe, not only guiding the club into League One, but also acting as a catalyst for positive change and encouraging everybody at the club to aim higher.

"For all of that we thank him, and we wish him all the best for the future.

"However, the club is now solely focused on moving decisively to appoint the right manager to build upon the huge opportunity that promotion creates for both the football club and the town."

Adams riled Newport fans after stating in a post-match interview on Monday that he had "no sympathy" for Michael Flynn's men following the two contentious calls that led to Morecambe's victory at Wembley.

Referee Bobby Madley decided not to award the Exiles a first-half spot-kick after Shrimps keeper Kyle Letheren punched Scot Bennett in the head when trying to clear the ball.

The official then gave Morecambe a penalty in the second half of extra-time when John O'Sullivan appeared to throw himself to the ground after minimal contact with Ryan Haynes outside the Newport box.

Carlos Mendes Gomes converted from 12 yards to send Morecambe into League One for the first time in their history.

"Three times this season they've had three of our players sent-off," claimed Adams when speaking to Quest's Colin Murray, despite the fact only two Morecambe players were shown red cards in games against Newport, both of which were won by the Exiles.

"Sometimes in life you get your comeuppance, and today was that, I'm afraid."